James Edward Hughes

1933 - 2024

James Edward (Hoar) Hughes

August 29, 1933 - November 21, 2024

QUEENSBURY - James Edward (Hoar) Hughes died on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at The Glen at Highland Meadows. He was born James Edward Hoar on August 29, 1933, in Beverly, MA, the son of Wilfred R. Hoar (of Rangely, ME) and Elsie (born Essie Ruth Lavigne in Eagle Lake, ME) (Lavigne) (Hoar) Richardson.

Mr. Hughes graduated from Beverly High School, Beverly, MA. He also graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and a Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. While at Northeastern, he held the post of Conductor/Director of the Northeastern University ROTC Marching and Concert Bands in his Junior and Senior years. He also earned an M.S. degree in Industrial Administration from Union College in Schenectady, NY.

Mr. Hughes was married to Joan Barbara Goetz on July 30, 1955, at the First Presbyterian Church in Glens Falls, NY. In 1967, the family surname was legally changed from Hoar to Hughes (Warren County, NY records.) The reason for this was that their son was being called a homonym of the name by bullies. Since Jim and Joan had a three-year-old daughter at the time, they thought the bullying could be worse for her. The decision to do this was a very difficult one for them.

Jim is survived by one son, J. Michael Hughes and his wife, Mary of Clifton Park, NY; one daughter, Lisa C. (Hughes) Macaluso and her husband, David of Grand Island, NY; sister-in-law, Diana Hoar of Port Charlotte, FL; and three granddaughters: Jordan (Hughes) Rider of New Windsor, NY, Dr. Taylor Hughes of Brandon, VT, and Clarissa Macaluso of Grand Island, NY. He was predeceased by his father, mother, and brothers: Wilfred R. Hoar of Federal Way, WA and Ralph C. Hoar of Port Charlotte, FL.

He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps and attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. On active duty, he was stationed at Fort Meade, MD, holding the post of Pictorial Unit Commander in the 69th Signal Battalion. As a member of the 69th Signal Battalion he participated in amphibious maneuvers on the coast of California in 1958.

His career included employment as a Laboratory Technician with Metal Hydrides, Inc. in Beverly, MA (a co-op job while attending Northeastern, U.); a Process Engineer with E. I. DuPont deNemours & Co. in Niagara Falls, NY (intermediate chemicals for nylon); and as Process Engineer with E.I. Dupont deNemours & Co. in Martinsville, VA. (nylon fiber); as Nuclear Waste Disposal Engineer with Alco Products in Schenectady, NY (Packed Nuclear Power Plants); as Production Supervisor with Hercules, Inc. (Imperial Color) in Glens Falls, NY (Color Pigment); and as Materials Manager with BASF in Rensselaer, NY (Color Dyestuffs). He concluded his employment career at Ray Supply in Queensbury, NY as General Manager.

He served the community in many ways: Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee for Urban Renewal (1960's); Vice President of the Glens Falls YMCA; Charter Officer of the Adirondack Youth Hockey Association; Elder and Deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls; President of the Glens Falls Affiliate of the ISM (Institute of Supply Management), formerly the NAPM (National Association of Purchasing Managers). He was also a member of the American Legion, Glens Falls, Post 233. His hobbies included wine making. As owner and operator of the "Jim Hughes Winery", he produced quality wines since 1998.

After retirement, Mr. Hughes entered what he called his second career, music. He resumed playing the clarinet and saxophone after a 50-year hiatus, and became a member of the SUNY Adirondack College Symphonic Band; the Lake George Community Band and the Hartford Community Band. With the Lake George Community Band, he was Chairman of the Music Committee and Chairman of the Lake George Community Band Festival. This Festival has been held every July since 2005 and draws community bands from the northeast U.S. and Canada. These are high quality concert bands with from 35 to 80 members. Also, to complement this music career, he took most of the music courses that Adirondack Community College had to offer and was made an Honorary Graduate of the SUNY Adirondack Music Program. Small musical groups became an interest as he joined the Adirondack Community College Woodwind Ensemble and The Sunglow Polka Band. The Sunglow Polka Band is a trio that plays ethnic German and Irish music.

Visiting hours will be Monday, November 25, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held the following day, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Patrick Wrisley officiating.

A graveside ceremony will immediately follow the funeral at Pine View Cemetery in Queensbury.

Donations to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or to a charity of your choice are encouraged.

Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Baker Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.